If you've been without power thanks to Hurricane Sandy, and pondering what to do with all the fresh fruits and veggies, cheeses and milk in the refrig, and the meats, sauces and soups you froze for the winter ahead in your freezer, now might be the time to give it all the heave-ho.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture food safety regulations suggest ditching food in freezers that have lost power after an average of 36 hours. A full freezer will hold the temperature for about 48 hours; a half-full freezer for 24 hours, according to the USDA's consumer guide.

For foods in the refrigerator, four hours and out is more like it. For Islanders without power since Monday night, that deadline has long passed. That includes perishable items, like eggs, leftovers and deli items, as well as uncooked poultry, meat and seafood.

Mayonnaise gets tossed, but ketchup, pickles and jellies are OK to keep.

That opened jar of spaghetti sauce? Toss it. But you can hang on to the grated Parmesan cheese.

Of course, you can opt to keep it all, eat it and very possibly get sick. ---

Staten Islanders: Is the electricity on in your neighborhood? What's open in your area? Where can you buy food, medicine or gasoline? Share the details on Twitter. Use hashtag #siopen

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Once the power goes back on, swab down the refrigerator and freezer before you restock.

And if you're fretting about throwing out all that yogurt you just bought at Trader Joe's, consider yourself lucky: People died in this storm. Houses and property were destroyed, some beyond immediate repair. You can always return to the supermarket once the power goes back on.---Follow @siadvance on Twitter